Local residents in Offaly unite in opposition to proposed sterilisation facility

AN application by Synergy Health Ireland Ltd to construct a sterilisation technology facility at Ballyduff in Tullamore has sparked a wave of objections from concerned local residents.

The objections centre around three main issues, the use of x-ray technology to sterilise, the potential increase in traffic and the imposing size of the facility.

Offaly County Council has put the application 'on hold' while it evaluates further information which it sought from the company.

If the proposed facility receives planning approval it will have a maximum roof height of 19.65 metres with a flue extending to 22. 4 metres and a gross floor area of 6,726 sqm.

The development will front the Clara Road at Ballyduff and include the repositioning and upgrade of the two existing entrances to the site from Clara road. The provision of internal roads, footpaths and a bicycle path and 42 car parking spaces.

Enda Scally lives near the site earmarked for the development. Mr Scally said there is no indication of how the proposed industrial facility is designed to achieve compliance with the Radiological Protection Act 1991 (Ionising Radiation Regulations 2019 or International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines and standards).

In addition he says that the overall height of the proposed industrial sterilisation facility is 2.4 times the height of the nearby units in Axis Business Park. He maintains that if built the industrial facility would have a direct effect on the visual amenities of the dwellings to the north and adjacent properties. ''Such an overbearing facility is contrary to proper planning and sustainable development,'' he said.

He said the application proposes bulky, large, high units that would result in overshadowing and appear visually dominant as viewed from the amenity space of the dwellings to the north. It would seriously injure the residential visual amenities, he claims.

He stresses that under the county development plan, Arden Road and Ballyduff is zoned to facilitate strategic large-scale employment. However, he points out that the proposed facility will employ just 32 staff members.

Mr Scally said a more suitable site would be the county development planned Arden Med/Bio Technology Park, which he said would bring industry and R&D together allowing the industry to flourish within the town. In addition such a site is better located for logistical distribution with the N52 and M6.

''The indicative masterplan will depreciate the value of domestic property in the vicinity and thereby be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the surrounding townlands. It will lead to unsustainable development on the land north of the grand canal and the town's northern environs,'' said Mr Scally.